Uncertainty hovers around Nigerian footballers out of contract this summer

June 30 is a very significant date in European football business.

It is the day that some footballers will run out of contracts with their current clubs.

This effectively means the player becomes a free agent and can choose his next team unilaterally.

Some high-profile names have been able to make these decisions.

They include Lionel Messi who is off to Inter Miami after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, Ilkay Gundogan who joined Barcelona after winning the Treble with Manchester City and N’Golo Kante who left Chelsea for Al-Hilal.

However, Nigerian footballers who are also in this position, seem to be under the radar.

Josh Maja is one of the more popular players in this situation.

The 24-year-old was on the books of Ligue 2 side Bordeaux last season and scored 17 times.

Maja joined from Sunderland in 2019 and endured two unproductive loan deals at Stoke City and Fulham, before finding his feet in France.

He almost guided them to Ligue 1 promotion, but for some final-day shenanigans by a fan that saw their hopes go up in smoke.

Bordeaux are eager to retain his services, but Clinton McDubus, a top football analyst and podcaster, feels Maja wants a new experience.

“Anderlecht, Rangers, Fulham and Valladolid are rumoured to be in for Maja.

“It doesn’t look like he will re-sign with Bordeaux since they didn’t get promoted,” McDubus tells DAILY POST.

Former Super Eagles marksman, Odion Ighalo, is also on the market.

Ighalo last played for Saudi Pro League side, Al-Hilal.

The 34-year-old, who has been angling for a return to the Nigeria national team, is clearly eager to keep playing.

But it does appear as if his options are limited for club and country.

“I do not think about the national team conversations for now,” Ighalo told Elegbete TV in a recent interview.

“You never can say ‘never’ because the last time I announced my retirement, it felt too soon.

“But now, I do not have a lot to say other than continue my club football and see how life goes.”

McDubus notes: “Ighalo’s future is not very clear. But he is leaving Saudi Arabia.”

Ola Aina has penned an emotional farewell message to Torino after rejecting a contract extension with the Serie A club following the expiration of his contract with the Turin club.

The 27-year-old initially joined Torino on loan from Chelsea in 2018 and the move was made permanent the next season.

According to TransferMarkt, there are around 100 Nigerian players whose current deals run out this summer.

Some of the surprising names you would find on it are: Bryan Idowu (Khimki), Leon Balogun (Queens Park Rangers), Efe Ambrose (Morton) and Daniel Akpeyi (Swallows FC).

“The truth is they have some advantage, because they played well with their various teams last season.

“They must have received a lot of proposals on their table.

“Maybe they are taking their time to choose what’s best for them,” Abu Azeez, a former striker with Nigeria’s Beach Eagles, tells DAILY POST.